January 26, 2025-The Lady Hornets were outrebounded by 14 in an 87-68 loss to Ark.-Fort Smith on Sunday afternoon in White Auditorium.
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The Lions jumped out to a 6-2 lead just over two minutes into the game. Emporia State would tie the game at 10-10 on a
Gracie Gilpin three-pointer with 4:37 left but the Lions responded with a 10-3 run to take the lead for good. The Lady Hornets score the final five points of the period to trail by 20-17 going to the second.
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Katie Horyna hit a three-pointer to get Emporia State within 28-25 with 7:02 left before Ark.-Fort Smith went on a 13-3 run to take a 13 point lead with 2:14 left in the half. The teams played even the rest of the quarter as the Lions took a 45-32 lead into the locker room.
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The Lady Hornets scored the first 11 points of the third quarter, forcing the Lions into two timeouts along the way, to get within 45-43 with 7:09 left in the period. Ark.-Fort Smith scored on back to back possessions to go up 49-43 with 6:06 remaining and the teams would trade scores over the next two minutes until a pair of free throws with 3:58 left gave the Lions a 59-51 lead. Gilpins sixth three-pointer of the game got ESU within 67-63 left in the period. The Lions scored the final four points of the quarter to lead 71-63 headed into the fourth.Â
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Ark.-Fort Smith extended their run to 6-0 with the first bucket of the fourth quarter to take a 73-63 lead. A three-pointer from Horyna got Emporia State within 75-68 with 4:57 left but it would be the last score for the Lady Hornets. The Lions ended the game on a 12-0 run for the final score.
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Gracie Gilpin hit six three-pointers to lead Emporia State with 22 points. She was joined in double figures by
Elizabeth Tjaden who had a career high 16 points with four made threes, and
Katie Horyna who finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
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The Lady Hornets will be back in action on Thursday, January 30 when they play host to Rogers State. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in White Auditorium.
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